There was a section that talked about Sean Avery’s former flame, Elisha Cuthbert ‘making out’ with Paris Hilton the other night in the city….
Big choice, Paris Hiton….. Sean Avery….
Good Call!
January 2008
Monthly Archive
Thu 31 Jan 2008
Thu 31 Jan 2008
With the tough games coming up on the schedule (@ MTL, Anaheim, @ Pitt, @ Minn), this is the right time for this game…
A team of young future stars (Kopitar, Brown, Frolov, Johnson among them), this is the type of game that the Isles need to feast on an opponent that has lost more games than any other NHL team.
They can score though… Dustin Brown has 24, and Kopitar is keeping pace. However, the defense is not that strong, even with long-time all-star Rob Blake among the corps. The goaltending is a little suspect with former Ranger Jason LaBarbera and JS Aubin between the pipes.
This is a team that you need to POUNCE on. We can not have the same effort that we saw 48 hours prior. The hangover is over. It is time to get the excitement pills back, and get on these guys right away.
Hopefully two points get added to the total.
Wed 30 Jan 2008
Hungover - but they all showed up on time……
Posted by Gary Harding under Islanders 07-08[3] Comments
Sorry Ray Emery…
$14,500 porer as the result, but he was not involved in the game last night.
The Isles looked sloppy to start the game, and it showed right away on the scoreboard… Losing battles for puck, bad decisions…
Do I sound like a broken record at home games lately?
These dog days following the all-star break are the games that the Isles should win, as they obviously become more important, the closer the calendar gets to April.
Nice pass by Joey Vas to Bergie to get goal 1. Now if Joe would only do that ALL the time, instead of becoming the second coming of the “Mighty Oleg”…
Good to see Berard get a goal last night. Maybe that will help his confidence a bit. His defensive play is still a little lacking.
Speaking of bad d - was it just me - or was Bergeron reminiscing to his days as an Oiler? His d was pathetic…
I love watching Richard Park, don’t you?
You can easily add Blake Comeau to this equation too…
The big question becomes… Will Tambellini show the skills that has made him the leading goal scorer in the AHL on the Isle? That is what this team so desperately needs right now.
MY THREE STARS
- Bergenheim - effort and energy, along with goal 1
- Park - ditto #1 - without a goal, unfortunately
- Comeau - he is going to be a nice player
Love the fact that they asked the fans to not shout out during the anthem last night. Smart move….
Thank God the last place team in the league comes in tomrrow. We need to get the game back on, and the Kings are just the team to do it to.
See ya tomorrow. May not be on NYHR tonight - see what time I get off from work.
Fri 25 Jan 2008
Fans of 29 other teams wished they had him in his prime….
Brian Leetch, a certain first ballot hall-of-famer, had #2 sent to the rafters of MSG last night.
Now - we all know about my propensity to dislike anything Ranger. However, I can never say with any sence of realism that I disliked Brian Leetch. I respected the man, and appreciated the role he played as the best US Born defenseman ever (in my opinion). I always had a fear whenever the Rangers went on the PP, because Leetch always killed us.
Also - the way Brian Leetch handled himself, set him miles apart from any other Ranger that wore the Broadway Blue Sweater. He always exuded class and dignity, and that can be respected. As an Islander fan, I do not have to start a fan club for the guy, but he is one that I would shake hands, and respect.
In a nice move, he (Leetch) announced that Adam Graves will also have his number ( 9 ) go up next season. In addition, he is on that list of class individuals that I respect as a hockey fan.
I also think that the Rangers should seriously consider honoring another #2, Brad Park, as well. Growing up in the late 60’s, I liked watching Park play. He was always the #2 D-man in the NHL (behind Robert Orr, of course), and was responsible for the rise of the Rangers in the beginning of the 70’s.
Well - that’s for another time…
Fri 25 Jan 2008
Nice way to the start the All-Star Break….. Not!
Posted by Gary Harding under Islanders 07-081 Comment
I slept through much of the 2nd and 3rd period… that’s says a lot!
I have worked and commuted for a 14-15 hour day for each of the last three days, and will do work on the weekend too. I am a zombie right now - and hope that this will end soon.
However, I think the guys look like they were ready for a holiday….
Unfortunately - they did it on the ice against Boston, which was not the right thing to do.
THese games will happen in the course of 82, but the object is to nip it in the butt, and get the opposite going on. A few days of rest and relaxation, hopefully puts the boys to that, as they get Ottawa and LA at home next week.
Silly scored again, and is on a streak. Too bad, he can’t keep playing….
Ricky was flat, should have stopped at least 2 of the 4 for sure. Tim Thomas, on the other hand, showed why he should have made the ASG, as well as make a case for him to start.
Take a vaca, I will too for a few days, and start writing on Tuesday. Enjoy the All Star Weekend.
Wed 23 Jan 2008
Whoops - maybe Peter will watch what he says….
Posted by Gary Harding under Islanders 07-08[3] Comments
Before the game began, I was driving home from work, and got to listen to the interview with Peter Laviolette that I am sure that now - he would want to recant. He said (and I am paraphrasing)…
We are fine with 5 forwards on the power play. I am confident that the guys can handle it.
After the second period - I am sure Peter was asking himself, “Why did I say that…”
Three, count them, three shorties, two by Silly and one by Park.
The Isles still gave their fans a scare. But a late goal by Brendan Witt, of all people, gave the cushion that they needed. Comeau got the empty netter to seal it.
What a goal Bergie got… On his bum, sliding to the net as he poked it through Cam Ward. This could be the ’spark’ that Bergie needs to get his point scoring up.
Dubie was admirable in the net. Made some great saves early, and established himself for the first time in 2008.
The Isles looked a great deal better last night - they battled, and provided a lot more energy than they did 30 hours before on Long Island. The defense looked better. Getting Witt and Marti in the mix makes this team a great deal better than they were. However, the blow was dealt when it was announced before the game that Chris Campoli will be out for the season with shoulder surgery being scheduled for later in the week. Campy, although not playing so great before the injury, had made some great strides this season, and was establishing himself as a capable, consistent, NHL defenseman.
The victory keeps Long Island in the 8th spot, with a date with the 7th seeded Bruins looming tomorrow. Nice to see that Al Trautwig, FINALLY gave the Isles some kudos, and praised Ted Nolan for the job that he has done. Wow - are you getting fined for saying something nice, Al???
By the way, has Blake Comeau turned out to be such a great callup? His ice presence and maturity is a great statement to the scouting staff, for getting such a nice player. Well done!
Hey Peter - thanks for putting the forwards out last night!… I like breakaways!
Sun 20 Jan 2008
I have a friend staying with Claire and I this weekend. She is from the Raleigh, NC area. Dawn has become a stuanch supporter of the game of hockey, since the Hurricanes moved from Central Connecticut. She experienced her greatest thrill, when the ‘Canes won the cup in 2006 against Edmonton.
Oh by the way - she loves Josef Vasicek.
In a great deal of our conversations, she has mentioned about Joe. But these conversations mostly focused about hockey. She understands his game, she knows his tendencies.
She supports Josef the player. So when she arrived on Long Island yesterday, she said that she had to make a sign for the game. When we got to my house, she made the sign that said:
I flew 550 miles from NC, Just so see JOE #63!
She commented that Joe ACTUALLY saw the sign and smiled! And of course, in the legendary move, Joe scored on a great move by Miro Satan, to give the Isles a 2-1 lead in the first period last night.
It was a happy time in Section 317 last night.
The happiness, was short lived.
The Flyers, specifically Scott Hartnell, got a power play hat-trick, as the #1 team on the PP took advantage, and cruised to a 5-3 win over the Isles.
Basically, the Isles looked sloppy in this game. The three losses on D is big. Ricky looked a little human last night. He was not on his sharp game, and was doing a little Aussie Walkabout. But the Flyers have the Isles number this season going 3 for 3. The Flyers are doing to us, what we do to the Rangers and Devils. Good thing it is not the Penn-Isle Cup, rather than the Metro Mug (Hummer Challenge).
Three Stars of the Game:
1. Josef Vasicek - great goal (and if I did not put him there - Dawn would KILL Me!)
2. Richard Park - great first goal, and he has performed beautifully with Guerin and Comrie.
3. Freddy Meyer - for 5′10″ and about 180 - he plays at times like he is 6′4″ 220.
Carolina is the opponent, and Dawn will wear her Red and Black, as opposed to my teal Kozlov practice jersey. We will battle, but I hope that Ted works on the guys, and hopefully Witt returns to the lineup.
Have a great Sunday!
G
Fri 18 Jan 2008
My NY Hockey Report partner - Derek Felix, writes for a blog call the BATTLE FOR NY (battleofny.blogspot.com). He wrote a nice article about Ricky, that I wanted to share with you all.
Please make comments, and I will pass them along to Derek.
Thanks - and have a great weekend.
Gary
Maybe Mike Milbury was right. The former Islander GM now TSN analyst was frequently referred to as “Mad Mike” for his crazy penchant for blockbuster trades while he was on Long Island.
The biggest move had to be the selection of goaltender Rick DiPietro first overall back in 2000- making the former BU standout the first ever netminder to be taken that high.
At the time, Milbury had another No.1 franchise goalie which led to second guessing on why he went for DiPietro when Roberto Luongo was still there. That same day, he shipped Luongo to the Panthers along with Olli Jokinen for Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha. Not one of his finest hours.
The thinking was that DiPietro was a much better stickhandling goalie than Luongo, who turned into a great puckstopper and one of the game’s elite goalies. Had Milbury not taken the cocky kid from Massachusetts who Fishstick fans refer to as “Di-Pi” after big saves, he could’ve selected either Dany Heatley or Marian Gaborik changing the entire look of the franchise.
You can always look back and say, ‘What if.’ It’s much easier to do that than to notice how well DiPietro is playing today. Now 26, he’s carrying his team to victories- frequently turning aside a lot of rubber in stoning opponents who leave the rink baffled at how they couldn’t beat the first-year All-Star.
The latest victim was his favorite opponent in first place division rival New Jersey. After standing on his head to the tune of 37 saves including turning aside 15 of 16 in a busy final stanza, DiPietro was not surpringly selected the game’s No.1 Star in their 3-1 road win at The Rock Wednesday. Against a quality opponent, he improved to 4-0 this season while his team made it a perfect five-for-five with backup Wade Dubielewicz doing his part in their prior win at Nassau Coliseum when DiPi was out.
On a team which doesn’t score a ton (112 GF, 2.43 Avg in 46 GP) and whose D isn’t lights out by any stretch, DiPietro usually is asked to be his team’s best player. He sees better than 28 shots-per-night. Despite his team giving up 14 more goals than they’ve scored, their 23-18-5 record for 51 points under second-year coach Ted Nolan has them sitting seventh in a crowded East only four behind the Devils and Pens.
The biggest reason is DiPi. Both teammates and opponents are taking notice.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist, does it?” explained Devils left wing Patrik Elias to the Associated Press of his team’s recent struggles against the Isles after being robbed point blank by a DiPietro glove in the second period. “They are playing well against us. They are playing well against Philly and us.
Those are big points to lose. We had our opportunities to get back in the game, but it’s still disappointing to lose. Their goaltender played awesome tonight.”
The biggest stops came on Devil captain Jamie Langenbrunner with under six minutes left and Dainius Zubrus with less than 90 seconds to go before teammate Bill Guerin sealed the victory with an empty netter- his second of the night.
“There were a couple of pucks whacked away and I was able to get my glove up on it,” DiPietro admitted later of the Zubrus quality chance within 10 feet.
It was easy to see why the Islanders won. Something Nolan referred to pointing to the man “between the goalposts.”
“Tonight, Ricky saved us a couple of points,” Islander captain Guerin pointed out.
“I thought we played a solid game, but when they turned it up and got good scoring opportunities, Ricky was there. He saved at least four goals I can think over. He kept us in it. He’s been doing it all year for us.“
As he’s been all season for this gritty resilient bunch who want to shock the hockey world by making the postseason for a second straight year when nobody gave them a realistic chance after leading scorer Jason Blake (signed w/Leafs) and Ryan Smyth (Avs) left for richer pastures.
The Islanders have taken eight of the first nine against the Devils (5-0-0) and Rangers (3-1-0)-turning the Battle of New York into a one team show because of No.39 who will get his opportunity to shine in Atlanta less than two weeks away. He’s the first Islander goalie to become an All-Star in 30 years since Hall of Famer Billy Smith in 1978. Not bad company. We’ll bet Fishstick fans are hoping for similar results.
Every night, he gives his team a chance to win. He’s faced 30-or-more shots a jaw dropping 19 times posting a respectable 9-6-4 record with a 2.60 GAA and an outstanding .927 save percentage.
His big saves are what keeps the Islanders in these type of pressure games. If they’re to continue winning, it will once again fall on the broad shoulders of their franchise netminder. It took a few years but it looks like Milbury’s mad gamble is finally paying off.
You won’t find many complaints on Long Island.
Thu 17 Jan 2008
Metro Mug Standings Updated - 1 points and the Devs are OUT!
Posted by Gary Harding under Islanders 07-08[4] Comments
Boy - did the All Star Goalie that is NOT starting saved his team last night.
The starting goalie did well, but for RIcky’s sake, not enough. The Isles are now 5-0 against NJ this season, and have put the tragic number for the Devils at 1. 1 point lost for the remainder of the games between the Isles and Rangers, and the Devils are OUT!
YOU CANT BEAT US!
And indeed - that is right!
I heard the end of the 1st period and most of the 2nd on the radio, and liked what I was hearing from Steve and Chris. The guys were playing better than the night before, so that was a positive sign. Guerin netting a pair, now has 17 on the season. He will get to his 30-35 that everyone expected him to get. Silly got another one on a great job by his linemates to get the puck free to him.
We keep up the pace, and stay ahead of the Rangers, with the win last night, as they (NYR) beat Buffalo 2-1. Have you began to notice that guys like Dubinski and Prucha getting the goals… Where is Shanahan? Where is Drury (especially last night)? Where is Straka? Where is Gomez? Where is Jagirl? Sheesh…. Buffalo is a team on serious skids, without a win in 10 now - and changes have to be looming here. Hey Darcy, don’t you wish you can turn back time????
BTW - here is the updated Metro Mug Standings. The weekend is almost here. Thank God! I am putting up so many hours, that I need a rest. However, I have so much planned for the weekend too, oh crap, forget it! Have a great Thursday all!
GH
Wed 16 Jan 2008
Flat as a 5 cent pancake for the first 30 minutes
Posted by Gary Harding under Islanders 07-08 , NY Hockey Talk[2] Comments
*** NOTE - Click on the link below, to listen to my interview on NY Hockey Talk on Sunday… ***
http://24.184.91.155:8088/PodCasts/2007/2008_01_13_NYHT%20-%20HARDING.htm
This stack, however, is a lot thicker than the Isles play in the first half of last night’s game.
2 shots in nearly 30 minutes of play. Then, all of a sudden, the legs kicked in…. A little too late.
Too many bad decisions, losing about 80-90% of the puck battles. The things that were just not done in this game, was such a polar opposite of the game on Sunday in Canada’s capital. At my view, I really can not see the coach, but I am sure that a vein or two were popping.
Like the tenacity that Park had. He has been quiet of late, but you can always expect the effort. I think it was the 4th line that had a good shift midway through the second session that started the better play of the Isles. After such a great effort in their wins over Calgary and Ottawa, it was real disappointing to see the lack of effort last night go to waste.
Now tonight - they head to the Rock. The Devs are on a roll (except when they play us). Sooner or later, they will take one, and unfortunately, this could be it. Maybe Ted will reach into his motivational bag, and come up a winner. Maybe with Witt back, that can help. Both Bruno and Campy made some serious gaffes. With younger players, that can happen, but we need to see the stability come back to the defensive corps, and getting Witt and Martinek back, can surely help. Also - Aaron Johnson is about a week away.
So - in my honest opinion, the Bryan Berard Experiment can come to a disappointing ending. He has struggled (I said worse at the game - but I am respecting the player to keeping it light). He is hurting more than helping right now. It is time to cut the cord.
LAST NIGHTS ISLANDER 3 STARS
1. Richard Park - effort, effort, effort
2. Freddy Meyer - basically for the past 4-5 games, been a big help - and keeping his game simple (love the hit on Spezza).
3. Trent Hunter - if only he can turn hits to goals….
Ricky could have been there too. He was just beaten by a Plekanic laser beam for goal number 1, and for number 2 - Gervais left him out to dry. He made some good stops, and kept the team in the game.
Need the two points tonight…. Keep the faith, Islander fans…
